By Fie Wilken Dømler. Photo: Archive.

Skin problems in horses

There can be many reasons why horses have an irritated skin. They can have an infection, be hypersensitive to insects such as mites, which often result in summer eczema. Some horses suffer especially in the winter months, and the heavy horse breeds are often challenged with sallenders and mallenders. It occurs because the horse has an excess production of keratin, which causes crust-like conditions on the legs. Under the crusts there is often moisture, which means that bacteria and fungus can form. If left untreated, it can cause infections and, of course, a lot of discomfort to the horse.

So, there are a wide range of different skin problems that horses can have, but surprisingly, there is not much research in the field.


What can you do yourself to prevent irritated skin in your horse?

Although the evidence-based information about skin disorders in horses is sparse, experience still suggests that feeding can help prevent possible complications. Regardless, it is important that you consider the horse as a type and its feeding needs in your plans. Check that it is actually getting the right vitamins. Is the general feed in accordance with the horse you have, what it is used for and the challenges it may have? According to consultant and agricultural technologist Maja Mandrup Jacobsen, it all needs to be thought of to reduce the risk of skin problems in the horse. It is the balanced feeding plan where all aspects of the feeding are taken into account that makes the big difference.

The minerals are important

In some cases, you can have horses that for some reason have an increased need for consumption of certain minerals. Zinc is one of them. It is very important that the horse is covered in relation to zinc to achieve a good skin and a nice coat. Zinc is involved in more than 200 different biochemical processes in the horse and is therefore an important mineral in many places in the body. The horse's immune system and skin are some of the places where zinc is of great importance. At the same time, it is also very important if the horse is to achieve optimal insulin metabolism, as zinc is involved in the production of insulin. Therefore, it also often makes sense to feed these horses low sugar and starch so that no more insulin is produced than is absolutely necessary. Typically, it is also the slightly heavy breeds that are hit hard. Those breeds are often very frugal and often have an unbalanced insulin metabolism by nature.

Some horses work best without alfalfa

In addition to having control of the minerals and their intake, a good intestinal flora is also crucial for the healthy skin and fur of the horse. The intestinal flora ensures the correct intake of the minerals from the feed, and 70 percent of the immune system is attached to it. You should also pay attention to giving the horse omega 3 fatty acids. It acts anti-inflammatory and provides a good skin because it ensures that the cell walls work optimally.

Some people also experience that the horses improve when they are fed without the alfalfa. Some have theories that the cause lies in the protein content. However, the reason is more that the alfalfa contains some nitrogen compounds that are not bound to protein. They are thus useless to the horse and must be excreted via the liver. However, in horses, the liver is often overworked due to waste products. In this way, the liver finds it difficult to handle the useless nitrogen compounds, and they are therefore excreted through the skin, which then aggravates a possible skin problem.


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The horse's largest organ is the skin. Something that requires care and wellness from the inside to be optimal on the outside. Horses that lack nutrients, for example in vitamins and minerals, will often show it in the form of irritated skin. There can be many reasons why horses have an irritated skin. It can come from "wrong" feeding, allergies, something they do not tolerate in the field and much more. Maja Mandrup Jacobsen, who is a consultant and agricultural technologist at St. Hippolyt Nordic A/S gives you good advice on how to help your horse get the best conditions for a healthy skin.

Does your horse have irritated skin?

HOW TO HELP IT BECOME
STRONG AND HEALTHY

The healthy – and unhealthy skin and fur

Horses that are comfortable all around will often show it through their skin and fur. In other words, the coat will shine and there will be fewer cases of skin problems. If problems occur with, for example, fungus, it is often because the feeding is not sufficient or that the horse does not absorb it well enough. Therefore, the intestinal function of these horses must also be looked.

Five tips if you need to feed a horse with skin problems

  • Ensure adequate allocation of minerals with a focus on organic minerals with easy uptake and especially zinc.
  • Ensure that the intestine works optimally so that the minerals are absorbed and thus can be used by the horse.
  • The horse must consume a predominance of omega 3 fatty acids, which for example come from flaxseed, instead of omega 6 and 9 fatty acids.
  • Proper health and exercise help create a good insulin sensitivity so that the horse does not have an overuse of zinc.
  • Focus on easily digestible raw materials, both green fiber, protein and good fatty acids, so that it is as easy for the horse as possible to utilize the feed. In this way, the liver and the intestinal system are stressed as little as possible.

The horse's largest organ is the skin. Something that requires care and wellness from the inside to be optimal on the outside. Horses that lack nutrients, for example in vitamins and minerals, will often show it in the form of irritated skin. There can be many reasons why horses have an irritated skin. It can come from "wrong" feeding, allergies, something they do not tolerate in the field and much more. Maja Mandrup Jacobsen, who is a consultant and agricultural technologist at St. Hippolyt Nordic A/S gives you good advice on how to help your horse get the best conditions for a healthy skin.

Skin problems in horses

There can be many reasons why horses have an irritated skin. They can have an infection, be hypersensitive to insects such as mites, which often result in summer eczema. Some horses suffer especially in the winter months, and the heavy horse breeds are often challenged with sallenders and mallenders. It occurs because the horse has an excess production of keratin, which causes crust-like conditions on the legs. Under the crusts there is often moisture, which means that bacteria and fungus can form. If left untreated, it can cause infections and, of course, a lot of discomfort to the horse.

So, there are a wide range of different skin problems that horses can have, but surprisingly, there is not much research in the field.


What can you do yourself to prevent irritated skin in your horse?

Although the evidence-based information about skin disorders in horses is sparse, experience still suggests that feeding can help prevent possible complications. Regardless, it is important that you consider the horse as a type and its feeding needs in your plans. Check that it is actually getting the right vitamins. Is the general feed in accordance with the horse you have, what it is used for and the challenges it may have? According to consultant and agricultural technologist Maja Mandrup Jacobsen, it all needs to be thought of to reduce the risk of skin problems in the horse. It is the balanced feeding plan where all aspects of the feeding are taken into account that makes the big difference.

The minerals are important

In some cases, you can have horses that for some reason have an increased need for consumption of certain minerals. Zinc is one of them. It is very important that the horse is covered in relation to zinc to achieve a good skin and a nice coat. Zinc is involved in more than 200 different biochemical processes in the horse and is therefore an important mineral in many places in the body. The horse's immune system and skin are some of the places where zinc is of great importance. At the same time, it is also very important if the horse is to achieve optimal insulin metabolism, as zinc is involved in the production of insulin. Therefore, it also often makes sense to feed these horses low sugar and starch so that no more insulin is produced than is absolutely necessary. Typically, it is also the slightly heavy breeds that are hit hard. Those breeds are often very frugal and often have an unbalanced insulin metabolism by nature.

Some horses work best without alfalfa

In addition to having control of the minerals and their intake, a good intestinal flora is also crucial for the healthy skin and fur of the horse. The intestinal flora ensures the correct intake of the minerals from the feed, and 70 percent of the immune system is attached to it. You should also pay attention to giving the horse omega 3 fatty acids. It acts anti-inflammatory and provides a good skin because it ensures that the cell walls work optimally.

Some people also experience that the horses improve when they are fed without the alfalfa. Some have theories that the cause lies in the protein content. However, the reason is more that the alfalfa contains some nitrogen compounds that are not bound to protein. They are thus useless to the horse and must be excreted via the liver. However, in horses, the liver is often overworked due to waste products. In this way, the liver finds it difficult to handle the useless nitrogen compounds, and they are therefore excreted through the skin, which then aggravates a possible skin problem.


Sources

Content, competitions & community - straight to your inbox


Follow us 

Does your horse have irritated skin?

By Fie Wilken Dømler. Photo: Archive.

HOW TO HELP IT BECOME
STRONG AND HEALTHY

The healthy – and unhealthy skin and fur

Horses that are comfortable all around will often show it through their skin and fur. In other words, the coat will shine and there will be fewer cases of skin problems. If problems occur with, for example, fungus, it is often because the feeding is not sufficient or that the horse does not absorb it well enough. Therefore, the intestinal function of these horses must also be looked.

Five tips if you need to feed a horse with skin problems

  • Ensure adequate allocation of minerals with a focus on organic minerals with easy uptake and especially zinc.
  • Ensure that the intestine works optimally so that the minerals are absorbed and thus can be used by the horse.
  • The horse must consume a predominance of omega 3 fatty acids, which for example come from flaxseed, instead of omega 6 and 9 fatty acids.
  • Proper health and exercise help create a good insulin sensitivity so that the horse does not have an overuse of zinc.
  • Focus on easily digestible raw materials, both green fiber, protein and good fatty acids, so that it is as easy for the horse as possible to utilize the feed. In this way, the liver and the intestinal system are stressed as little as possible.

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